Stationary ergometric exercise device

ABSTRACT

A stationary ergometric exercise device (10) comprises afoot-operable drive including alternately operable drive elements in the form of foot-driven pedals (18) mounted via pedal cranks (20) to opposite sides of a drive wheel (22). A flywheel (24) is coupled to the drive wheel (22) via a gear mechanism (26), the flywheel including a magnetic rim (38). The exercise device (10) includes a brake device (40) in the form of one or more ˜o permanent magnets (44a,44b) mounted for movement by means of a motor (42) towards and away from the magnetic rim (38) of the flywheel (24) so as to selectively adjust a braking force applied to the flywheel (24) by means of the or each permanent magnet (44a,44b). 15 A measuring unit (58) is provided for measuring, in use, at least, one of drive force applied via the drive and the torque related to it, together with a measuring device (66) for measuring, in use, cadence. A command module (72) is connected to the measuring unit (58), the measuring device 20 (66) and the motor (42) of the brake device (40), and a communications module (74) is connected to the command module (72) and configured to receive command signals and transmit those command signals to the command module (72) and configured to transmit feedback signals received from the command module (72) reporting user performance. 25 The command module (72) is configured to receive measurements from the measuring unit (58) and the measuring device (66) and to use those measurements to calculate one or more performance parameters and to compare the or each performance parameter against a predetermined performance profile. The command module (72) is also configured to control the motor (42) so as to move the or each permanent magnet so (44a,44b) relative to the magnetic rim (38) of the flywheel (24) in order to adjust the braking force applied by the or each permanent magnet (44a,44b) and thereby tune the measurements received from the measuring unit (58) and the measuring device (66) so as to adjust the or each performance parameter calculated by the command module (72) to conform with the predetermined performance profile.

The invention relates to a stationary ergometric exercise device.

The invention also relates to a method of operating a stationaryergometric exercise device and to a computer program or computer programproduct.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided astationary ergometric exercise device comprising:

-   -   a foot-operable drive including alternately operable drive        elements in the form of foot-driven pedals mounted via pedal        cranks to opposite sides of a drive wheel;    -   a flywheel coupled to the drive wheel via a gear mechanism, the        flywheel including a magnetic rim;    -   a brake device in the form of one or more permanent magnets        mounted for movement by means of a motor towards and away from        the magnetic rim of the flywheel so as to selectively adjust a        braking force applied to the flywheel by means of the or each        permanent magnet;    -   a measuring unit for measuring, in use, at least one of the        drive force applied via the drive and the torque related to it;    -   a measuring device for measuring, in use, cadence;    -   a command module connected to the measuring unit, the measuring        device and the motor of the brake device; and    -   a communications module connected to the command module and        configured to receive command signals and transmit those command        signals to the command module and configured to transmit        feedback signals received from the command module reporting user        performance,    -   wherein the command module is configured to receive measurements        from the measuring unit and the measuring device and to use        those measurements to calculate one or more performance        parameters and to compare the or each performance parameter        against a predetermined performance profile and to control the        motor so as to move the or each permanent magnet relative to the        magnetic rim of the flywheel in order to adjust the braking        force applied by the or each permanent magnet and thereby tune        the measurements received from the measuring unit and the        measuring device so as to adjust the or each performance        parameter calculated by the command module to conform with the        predetermined performance profile.

In the context of the invention, the term “cadence” is intended to referto the rate of pedalling of a user, which is usually calculated in termsof the number of revolutions of the pedal cranks per minute.

It will be appreciated that the provision of a brake device includingone or more permanent magnets movable relative to a magnetic rim of aflywheel provides a mechanism whereby it is possible to apply a forceaimed at resisting rotation of the flywheel. Whilst the size of themagnetic force provided by the or each permanent magnet remainsconstant, the ability to move the or each permanent magnet towards andaway from the flywheel enables the size of the braking force applied tothe flywheel and thus the force resisting rotation of the flywheel to bevaried and adjusted.

The use of a motor to drive movement of the or each permanent magnetrelative to the magnetic rim of the flywheel facilitates remoteoperation of the brake device and eliminates the need for a user tomanually adjust the position of the or each permanent magnet relative tothe magnetic rim of the flywheel. This in turn allows the size of thebraking force applied to the flywheel to be varied and adjustedimmediately in response to measurements from the measuring unit and themeasuring device, and allows regular adjustments of the position of thebrake device relative to the magnetic rim of the flywheel during use ofthe stationary ergometric exercise device.

The use of one or more permanent magnets is particularly advantageous inthat the applicant has discovered that the size of the magnetic forceavailable from a permanent magnet per unit mass is significantly greaterthan can be achieved through the use of an electro-magnet.

Accordingly, it is possible readily to increase the size of the magneticforce available from the brake device by including additional permanentmagnets that are relatively small in size. This in turn greatlyincreases the flexibility of the resultant braking arrangement in thatit allows the creation of a much greater range of braking forceavailable from the interaction between the brake device and the magneticrim of the flywheel. This in turn means that the use of one or morepermanent magnets allows the creation of an arrangement that is morepowerful, and is lighter, than can be achieved through the use of anelectro-magnet.

The use of one or more permanent magnets also reduces the powerconsumption required by the device when compared with a brakingarrangement involving the use of an electro-magnet. The total powerrequired by the motor, the command module and the communications moduleis such that the stationary ergometric exercise device may be powered bymeans of a battery as opposed to a larger power source, such as a mainspower outlet, which would almost certainly be required in order to powera device utilising an electro-magnet capable of producing the same rangeof braking force.

The provision of a command module configured in the manner outlinedabove also allows a user to set a predetermined performance profile fora particular training or exercise program. The command module in turncollects and compares real-time data against the predeterminedperformance profile and controls the motor to adjust the braking forceapplied to the flywheel so as to affect the resistance to rotation ofthe flywheel, and thus resistance to pedalling, experienced by a user inreal time. As outlined above, by appropriate adjustment of the positionof the brake device relative to the magnetic rim of the flywheel, thecommand module is able to tune the measurements received from themeasuring unit and the measuring device so as to adjust the or eachperformance parameter calculated by the command module to conform withthe predetermined performance profile.

In its simplest form, the predetermined performance profile may be setto ensure that a user operates the device at a constant power output.This may be achieved by using the cadence and force and/or torquemeasurements to calculate the actual, power output of the user,comparing the calculated power against the set power output value andcontrolling the motor so as to increase or decrease the braking force soas to require the user to apply a greater or lower force to the pedalsin order to achieve the required power output at the same cadence.

In such a mode of operation, the command module may adjust the brakingforce as the user's cadence changes in order to increase or decrease thebraking force applied to the magnetic flywheel and thereby require theuser to increase or decrease the drive force applied to the pedals inorder to maintain the same power output.

The ability on the part of the command module to monitor the performanceof the user by reference to the measurements obtained from the measuringdevice and the measuring unit means that the command module is able tore-adjust the position of the brake device relative to the magnetic rimof the flywheel during continued operation of the exercise device with aview to creating a braking force that allows the user to achieve therequired power output at a comfortable cadence.

The ability to control the power output of a user can be particularlybeneficial for medical and laboratory purposes in assessments where theprimary importance is for the user to produce a constant power outputand the cadence and/or force applied to the pedals is of a lowerimportance for the purposes of completing the assessment.

It will be appreciated that the predetermined performance profile may betailored to create various effects. For example, in another mode ofoperation, the performance profile may be set so as to define arelationship between power output and cadence for a particular gear.This would result in a curvilinear relationship between the power outputand cadence.

In such a mode of operation, the command module may again use thecadence and force and/or torque measurements to calculate the actualpower output of the user and to then compare those values against aparticular curvilinear relationship between the power output andcadence. The command module may then operate the motor so as to move thebrake device towards or away from the magnetic rim of the flywheel so asto increase or reduce the braking force and thereby reduce or increaseaccordingly the force required from the user to maintain the cadence andthereby achieve the power output corresponding to that cadence on thepredetermined performance profile.

The provision of a communications module connected to the command moduleand configured to receive command signals and to transmit feedbacksignals reporting user performance allows the stationary ergometricexercise device to be connected to an external device for the purposesof providing a user interface.

It is envisaged, for example, that the communications module could beconnected to a smart phone, tablet, smart watch or other computingdevice running an application configured to communicate with thecommunications module and thereby allow a user to input data for thepurposes of creating a predetermined performance profile. It could alsobe connected to such a device to allow the creation of a visualisationof the feedback signals on a screen of the device. The interface could,for example, display the cadence and/or force measurements. It couldalso or alternatively display one or more performance parameterscalculated by the command module from the measurements obtained from themeasuring device and the measuring unit.

In order to ensure accurate and real time measurements, the measuringunit may be configured to continuously measure, in use, at least one ofthe drive force applied via the drive and the torque related to it. Bycontinuous, it is envisaged that the measuring unit might measure theforce applied via the drive and/or the torque related to it up to 100times per second.

In such embodiments, such continuous monitoring of the drive forceand/or torque related to it allows the command module to continuouslyre-calculate the one or more performance parameters for comparison withthe predetermined performance profile. Accordingly, the command modulemay control the motor so as to allow continue adjustment of the brakingforce applied by the brake device.

In embodiments where the command module is configured to calculate thepower output of a user, the command unit may be configured to calculatethe power output of a user once per revolution of the pedal cranks. Insuch embodiments, the command module may calculate power on the basisthat:

power=force×speed

This allows the command module to control the motor to adjust movementof the or each permanent magnet in a dynamic and responsive manner.

In calculating power, the command module may calculate speed byreference to the measured cadence and the distance travelled perrevolution of the pedal cranks. The distance travelled per revolution ofthe pedal cranks may be pre-set within the command module according to aseries of pre-set gears. In such embodiments, the command module may beconfigured to increase the braking force applied to the flywheel onselection by a user of a higher gear, and vice versa, in order tosimulate the additional resistance that would be experienced by acyclist on changing gear on a real bicycle. Similarly, the commandmodule may be configured to increase the distance travelled perrevolution of the pedal cranks incrementally with each gear from thelowest gear up to the highest gear, and vice versa.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance travelled perrevolution increases incrementally from a minimum of 2.790 m in a bottomgear, gear 1, to a maximum of 10.258 m in a top gear, gear 22. In suchan embodiment, it will be appreciated that a user operating the exercisedevice in gear 1 at a cadence of 60 revolutions per minute would equateto a speed of 2.790 ms⁻¹

In order to allow a user to change up and down through gears, theexercise device may include buttons included on handlebars so as toallow the user readily to move up and down through the gears as if theywere riding a real bicycle. Such buttons may be connected directed tothe command module in order to provide the required signal.Alternatively, the buttons may be configured to send command signals tothe communications module for onward transmission to the command module.

In rudimentary embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that thecommand module may be programmed to include a series of predeterminedperformance profiles from which a user might select before commencing atraining program. In particularly preferred embodiments however it isenvisaged that the command module may be configured to calculate thepredetermined performance profile on receipt of performancecharacteristic data in the form of command signals from thecommunications module.

For example, in such embodiments, a user may input a series of cyclingparameters that are in turn communicated to the command module via thecommunications module and allow the command module to calculate atailor-made predetermined performance profile based on the selectedcycling parameters.

It is envisaged that the performance characteristic data may includeinformation concerning one or more static cycling parameters selectedfrom the group consisting of angle of inclination of cycling surface,rolling resistance between bicycle tyre and cycling surface, mass ofcyclist, mass of bicycle and cyclist power output.

It is also envisaged that the performance characteristic data mayinclude information concerning one or more dynamic cycling parametersselected from the group consisting of air resistance created by changesin wind speed, air resistance created by changes in altitude and airresistance created through the use of a fan.

In such embodiments, the command module may be configured to calculatethe effects of any selected cycling parameters on the drag force that acyclist would experience riding a bicycle under those conditions and tocalculate a predetermined performance profile taking into account theadditional drag force. The command module could, for example, generate apredetermined performance profile based on power output versus cadencecalculated to take account of the drag force that would be experiencedas a result of the selected cycling parameters. This would allow thecommand module to control the motor and thereby control movement of thebrake device relative to the magnetic rim of the flywheel so as tocreate the required drag force and thereby simulate various cyclingconditions.

It will be appreciated that by appropriate selection of cyclingparameters a user could create command signals instructing the commandmodule to simulate an infinite number of combinations of cyclingconditions. For example, the command module could simulate a lightcyclist riding a light bicycle on a velodrome surface; the same cyclistand bicycle on a dirt track; the same cyclist and bicycle on a 5°inclined surface; the same cyclist and bicycle on a −5° inclined surfacewith a back wind of 10 miles per hour. The command module could also,for example, simulate a stationary ergometric exercise device having afan with vents on an outer housing of the fan that can be adjusted so asto adopt various positions and thereby affect and control the airstreamtravelling through the fan on operation of the pedals to drive rotationof the fan.

With reference to the dynamic cycling parameters referred to above, itwill be appreciated that the drag force experienced by a cyclist undersuch conditions will vary according to speed as a result of fluiddynamics.

Accordingly, in particularly preferred embodiments, the command modulemay be configured to calculate the actual speed of a bicycle based onthe cadence measured by the measuring device and the distance travelledper revolution of the pedal cranks, as outlined above.

In other such embodiments, the command module may be configured to usemeasurements received from the measuring device to calculate speed ofrotation of the flywheel. It will be appreciated that the speed ofrotation of the flywheel will provide a value indicative of the actualspeed of a bicycle.

In either case, the command module may be configured to use thecalculated speed in order to adjust the predetermined performanceprofile so as to reflect the effect of the user's speed on the one ormore dynamic cycling parameters employed in the calculation of thepredetermined performance profile.

It is envisaged that in order to input the selected cycling parameters,a user will ideally connect an external device, such as a smart phone,tablet, smart watch or other computing device to the communicationsmodule of the stationary ergometric exercise device.

In embodiments of the invention, such a connection may be achieved bymeans of a wired connection. In such embodiments, a data cable, such asa USB cable, may be connected between sockets on the external device andthe communications module.

In other embodiments of the invention, such a connection may be achievedthrough the inclusion in the communications module of a radio configuredto receive command signals and transmit feedback signals via a wirelesscommunications protocol. The radio could, for example, be configured toform a paired communications link with an external device by means of aBLUETOOTH® or ANT+® communications link.

It will be appreciated that other wireless communications protocolscould be used in order to create a wireless communications link betweenthe communications module and an external device such as a smart phone,tablet, smart watch or other computing device depending on thefunctionality available from the external device and the functionalityof the radio included in the communications module.

It is envisaged that in particularly preferred embodiments, the externaldevice may include data concerning a cycling route that could be used togenerate command signals to simulate a specific cycling route. The datamay, for example, concern a particular stage of the Tour de France or anOlympic road race route.

In such embodiments, the command module may be configured to generate apredetermined performance profile based on the command signalspertaining to the characteristics of the chosen route. Suchcharacteristics may include angle of inclination, rolling resistancebetween bicycle tyre and cycling surface and altitude. They could alsoinclude wind speed, wind direction and other weather characteristics inthe event the user chooses to simulate the exact conditions of apreviously recorded ride along the chosen route.

During the simulation, the command module calculates the power output ofthe user, in accordance with the methods outlined above, and comparesagainst the predetermined performance profile in order to determine thepower output that would be required at the measured cadence of the user.This enables the command module to adjust the braking force applied tothe flywheel in order to tune the measurements received from themeasuring unit and the measuring device so as to achieve the requiredpower output and thereby simulate the resistance to pedalling that wouldbe experienced by the user at that cadence, in the chosen gear and atthe position along the route reached by the user.

It will be appreciated that the data concerning the chosen route couldbe provided in the form of a single transmission from the externaldevice via the communications module. It will also be appreciatedhowever that the data could be streamed continuously from the externaldevice to the command module, via the communications module, during thesimulation of the chosen route in order to allow the provision of moredata and thus facilitate ongoing adjustment of the predeterminedperformance profile in order to provide a more detailed and accuratesimulation.

In any event, the command module may transmit feedback signals via thecommunications module back to the external device that allows theexternal device to track the user's progress along the chosen route.This could be translated into a signal in the external device thatallows the external device to generate a video image that might allowthe user to visualise their journey along the chosen route.

In order to control movement of the or each permanent magnet relative tothe magnetic rim of the flywheel the or each permanent magnet may bemounted on a yoke element connected to the motor to drive movement ofthe yoke towards and away from the magnetic rim of the flywheel andthereby drive movement of the or each permanent magnet towards and awayfrom the magnetic rim of the flywheel.

It is envisaged that in embodiments of the invention the flywheel may beformed from steel with a copper insert provided around an outer edge inorder to create a magnetic rim section.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the flywheel may include a pairof wheel elements mounted on a common axle for rotation. In suchembodiments, each of the wheel elements includes a magnetic rim and thebrake device includes two sets of permanent magnets, each of the sets ofpermanent magnets being mounted for movement together with the other setof permanent magnets towards and away from the magnetic rim of arespective one of the wheel elements.

As outlined above, a stationary ergometric exercise device according tothe invention requires the inclusion of a measuring unit to measure thedrive force applied via the drive and/or the torque related to it. Inparticularly preferred embodiments, the stationary ergometric exercisedevice includes a measuring unit to measure the drive force applied viathe drive. In such embodiments, the measuring unit includes an armapplied to a chain of the gear mechanism, the arm pressing slightly onthe side of the chain and the measuring unit further including ameasuring sensor to measure the restoring force applied by the tractionmechanism to the arm.

In order to calculate feedback signals indicative of a user'sperformance, the command module may be configured to calculate andcontinuously output in the form of feedback signals to thecommunications module the temporal progress of the drive force and/orrelated torque, as well as variables derivable from it, on the basis ofthe measurements delivered to the command module by the measuring unit.

In order to measure cadence, the measuring device may include a pair ofsensor pieces attached to the drive wheel and at least one sensorpositioned in a stationary location relative to the drive wheel.

In other such embodiments, the measuring device may include a pair ofsensors positioned in stationary locations relative to the drive wheeland at least one sensor piece attached to the drive wheel.

In either case, the or each sensor piece is movable with the drive wheelrelative to the or each sensor on operation of the drive by means ofwhich the or each sensor detects a passing sensor piece and is therebyable to calculate the speed of rotation of the drive wheel and thus thecadence or pedalling rate of the user.

By appropriate positioning of the or each sensor piece and the or eachsensor the or each sensor detects a passing sensor piece when the gearwheel is located at one of two specific angular positions, the positionsbeing located 180° apart and corresponding to positions in motion ofload alternation between the alternately operable drive elements.

Preferably the or each sensor piece is a magnet and the or each sensoris a magnetic field sensor.

The ability to identify positions in motion of load alternation allowsthe measuring device to identify the times of load alternation betweenthe alternately operable drive elements. In such embodiments, thecommand module may be further configured so as to receive signals fromthe measuring device identifying the times of load alternation betweenthe alternately operable drive elements and, using the times of loadalternation identified by the measuring device, to apportion variablescalculated on the basis of measurements received from the measuring unitalternately to a right limb or left limb or a user.

This information may be transmitted via the communications module to anexternal device so as to display a POLAR VIEW™ illustrating the user'spedalling performance and technique with specific reference to theuser's right and left limbs and thereby making it possible for the userto determine the areas in which his or her pedalling performance and/ortechnique might require improvement.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method ofoperating a stationary ergometric exercise device including afoot-operable drive having alternately operable drive elements in theform of foot-driven pedals mounted via cranks to opposite sides of agear wheel; a flywheel coupled to the gear wheel via a gear mechanism,the flywheel including a magnetic rim; a brake device in the form of oneor more permanent magnets mounted for movement by means of a motortowards and away from the magnetic rim of the flywheel so as toselectively adjust a braking force applied to the flywheel by means ofthe or each permanent magnet; a measuring unit for measuring, in use, atleast one of drive force applied via the drive and the torque related toit; and a measuring unit for measuring, in use, cadence,

-   -   the method comprising the steps of:    -   using measurements received from the measuring unit and the        measuring device to calculate one or more performance        parameters;    -   comparing the or each performance parameter against a        predetermined performance profile; and    -   controlling the motor so as to move the or each permanent magnet        relative to the magnetic rim of the flywheel in order to adjust        the braking force applied by the or each permanent magnet and        thereby tune the measurements received from the measuring unit        and the measuring device so as to adjust the or each performance        parameter calculated by the command module to conform with the        predetermined performance profile.

In embodiments of the invention the method may further include the stepof inputting performance characteristic data and calculating thepredetermined performance profile based on the performancecharacteristic data.

The performance characteristic data may include information concerningone or more static cycling parameters selected from the group consistingof angle of inclination of cycling surface, rolling resistance betweenbicycle tyre and cycling surface, mass of cyclist, mass of bicycle, gearselection and cyclist power output.

The performance characteristic data may include information concerningone or more dynamic cycling parameters selected from the groupconsisting of air resistance created by changes in wind speed, airresistance created by changes in altitude, air resistance created by afan.

Preferably the method further includes the step of calculating speed ofrotation of the flywheel using measurements received from the measuringdevice and the step of adjusting the predetermined performance profilein response to the calculated speed so as to reflect the effect of speedon the one or more dynamic cycling parameters.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided acomputer program or computer program product containing computer programcode which, when executed on a computer or processer and memory,performs the method of operating a stationary ergometric exercise deviceoutlined above.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way ofnon-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a stationary ergometric exercise device according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a measuring device of the stationary ergometric exercisedevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a measuring unit of the stationary ergometric exercisedevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a gear mechanism connecting a drive wheel to a flywheel ofthe stationary ergometric exercise device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a brake device and flywheel assembly of the stationaryergometric exercise device;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a command module and a motor arranged to controlmovement of the brake device relative to a magnetic rim of flywheelelements of the flywheel assembly;

FIG. 8 illustrate an exemplary POLAR VIEW™; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic representations of the measuring unit shownin FIG. 3.

A stationary ergometric exercise device 10 according to an embodiment ofthe invention is shown in FIG. 1.

The exercise device 10 can be used, for example, as a home exercisemachine, as a training device in a fitness studio or for use in elitesport. It can also be used in the medical field for assessment purposes.

The exercise device 10 has a bicycle-like frame 12 with a seat 14 andhandlebars 16. The positions of the seat 14 and handlebars 16 areadjustable but are intended to be fixed during a training cycle. In thefoot area, below the seat 14, the exercise device 10 includes afoot-operable drive including alternately operable drive elements in theform of foot-driven pedals 18. The pedals 18 are mounted via pedalcranks 20 to opposite sides of a drive wheel 22 by means of a pedalshaft 23 (FIG. 9) extending through the drive wheel 22.

A flywheel assembly 24 is coupled to the drive wheel 22 via a gearmechanism 26. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the flywheel assembly24 includes a pair of flywheel elements 26, as shown in FIG. 5, mountedon a common shaft 28 for rotation.

The gear mechanism 26 includes a chain 30 extending about the drivewheel 22 and a pinion wheel 32 (FIG. 2). Operation of the pedals 18drives rotation of the pedal shaft, which in turn drives rotation of thedrive wheel 22. The drive wheel 22 drives rotation of the pinion wheel32 by means of the chain 30, which in turn drives a shaft extendingthrough the pinion wheel 32 and through a disc wheel 34 so as to driverotation of the disc wheel 34.

The disc wheel 34 drives rotation of the common shaft 28 of the flywheelassembly 24 by means of a belt 36 (FIG. 4) stretched so as to extendaround the disc wheel 34 and the common shaft 28.

Each of the flywheel elements 26 is mounted on the common shaft 28 forrotation therewith and is formed from steel but includes a copper insertso as to form a magnetic rim section 38 (FIG. 6). A brake device 40including a plurality of permanent magnets is mounted for movement bymeans of a servo motor 42 towards and away from the magnetic rims 38 ofthe flywheel elements 26. Movement of the permanent magnets towards andaway from the magnetic rims 38 of the flywheel elements 26 varies abraking generated by the magnetic attraction between the permanentmagnets and the magnetic rims 38 of the flywheel elements 26.Accordingly, by moving the permanent magnets relative to the magneticrims 38 it is possible to adjust a braking force applied to the magneticrims 38 of the flywheel elements 26 and thereby adjust the resistance torotation of the flywheel elements 26 created by the magnetic attractionbetween the magnetic rims 38 of the flywheel elements 26 and thepermanent magnets.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the permanent magnets are mounted so as toform two sets of permanent magnets 44 a,44 b supported in a yoke 46,each set of permanent magnets 44 a,44 b being mounted on opposite sidesof the yoke 46 for movement towards and away from the magnetic rim 38 ofa respective one of the flywheel elements 26.

So as to drive movement of the yoke 46, the yoke 46 is mounted on afirst end of a threaded shaft 48 extending through a threaded apertureformed in a support 50 mounted on the bicycle-like frame 12. Thethreaded shaft 48 is secured at a second end within a drive wheel 52,which is in turn coupled to a driven shaft 54 of the servo motor 42 bymeans of a drive belt 56.

Operation of the servo motor 42 drives rotation of the driven shaft 54,which in turn drives rotation of the drive wheel 52 by means of thedrive belt 56. Engagement of the threaded shaft 48 within the threadedaperture formed in the support 50 causes longitudinal movement of thethreaded shaft 48 into and out of the threaded aperture, towards andaway from the flywheel elements 26. The direction of travel of thethreaded shaft 48, and thus the yoke 46, depends on the direction ofrotation of the driven shaft 54 of the servo motor 42 and thus thedirection of rotation of the threaded shaft 48.

The exercise device 10 includes a measuring unit 58 (FIG. 2) formeasuring, in use, at least one of the drive force applied via the driveand the torque related to it. More particularly, the measuring unit 58includes an arm 60 attached to the bicycle-like frame 12. A glide 62,preferably made from a plastics material, is attached to the arm 60 soas to press against an outer edge of the chain 30 extending about thedrive wheel 22 and the pinion wheel 32.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the glide 62 presses the chain 30slightly inwards. In other embodiments, the glide 62 could be positionedinwardly of the chain so as to press the chain 30 slightly outwardly.

In the event the chain 30 is under tension, as a result of a drivingforce being applied to the foot-driven pedals 18 by a user, then atangential component of the force acts on the glide 62 as a restoringforce that is proportional to the tension of the chain 30 and hence thedrive force. The elastic bending of the arm 60 is measured by a stretchmeasuring strip 64.

It will be appreciated that since the restoring force is proportional tothe tension of the chain 30, and hence the drive force, thatmeasurements of the restoring force can be used to calculate the size ofthe driving force applied to the pedals 18 during operation of theexercise device 10.

Similarly, because the length of each of the pedal cranks 20 is known,measurements of the restoring force can be used to calculate the torqueapplied to the drive wheel 22 by means of the pedals 18.

In order to calibrate the force measurement, a mass of known size isattached to one of the pedals 18 and the flywheel elements 26 or thedisc wheel 34 are locked so as to prevent rotation thereof. The forcemeasured by means of the measuring unit 58 under these conditions allowsthe measuring unit 58 to be calibrated by comparing the restoring forcewith the known force applied by the known mass attached to the pedal 18.

In this embodiment, the measuring unit 58 is configured to continuouslymeasure the drive force applied via the drive during operation of theexercise device 10. By continuous, it is envisaged that the measuringunit 58 measures the force applied via the drive up to 100 times persecond.

The exercise device 10 also includes a measuring device 66 (FIG. 3) formeasuring cadence during operation of the exercise device 10.

It will be appreciated that, in the context of cycling, cadence refersto the rate of pedalling or number of revolutions of the pedal cranks 20per minute (RPM).

The measuring device 66 of the exercise device 10 shown in FIG. 1 isillustrated schematically in FIGS. 9 and 10 and includes a pair ofsensor pieces 68 mounted on the drive wheel 22 and a pair of sensors 70positioned in stationary locations on the bicycle-like frame 12.

The sensor pieces 68 and sensors 70 are positioned relative to eachother such that, on rotation of the drive wheel 22, each of the sensorpieces 68 passes a respective one of the sensors 70 fixed to thebicycle-like frame 12 such that each sensor piece 68 is detected onlyonce per cycle of rotation of the drive wheel 22 and is detected by thesame sensor 70 on each cycle of rotation of the drive wheel 22. This isachieved by varying the radial distance of the sensor pieces on thedrive wheel 22 pedal shaft. More particularly, one of the sensor pieces68 is located at a greater radial distance from the pedal shaft on thedrive wheel 22 than the other of the sensor pieces 68. Similarly, bypositioning the sensors 70 on the bicycle-like frame 12 so that they arelocated at correspondingly spaced locations relative to the pedal shaft,each sensor 70 detects only one of the sensor pieces 68 during rotationof the drive wheel 22.

The relative positions of the sensor pieces 68 and the sensors 70 arealso chosen such that a sensor piece 68 is moved into alignment with arespective sensor 70 at 180° intervals and such that the position inmotion of the drive wheel 22 at the point at which each of the sensorpieces 68 is moved into alignment with the respective sensor 70corresponds to a position in motion of load alternation between thepedals 18.

Accordingly, during each complete revolution of the drive wheel 22, thesensor pieces 68 and sensors 70 generate two signals at 180° intervals.The time between these signals can be used to calculate the rate ofrotation of the drive wheel 22 and thus the rate of pedalling—otherwisereferred to as cadence.

Similarly, because the signals are generated at 180° intervals andcorrespond to points at which there is a load alternation in terms of auser switching driving force from one pedal to the other, the signalsgenerated by the sensor pieces 68 passing the sensors 70 can beinterpreted as being indicative of a time of load alternation.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 the sensor pieces 68 aremagnets and the sensors 70 are magnetic field sensors. In otherembodiments it is envisaged that other sensor pieces and sensors may beemployed.

It is also envisaged that in other embodiments the number of sensorpieces 68 or number of sensors 70 may be changed. In one suchembodiment, one sensor piece 68 may be fixed to the drive wheel 22 andthe sensors 70 may be mounted on the bicycle-like frame 12 at fixedlocations such that the sensor piece 68 passes each of the sensors 70 atintervals of 180°. In such an embodiment, the sensor piece 68 andsensors 70 are again located relative to each other such that the sensorpiece 68 is moved into alignment with each of the sensors 70, duringrotation of the drive wheel 22, at a position in motion of the drivewheel 22 corresponding to a load alternation between the foot operablepedals 18.

In another such embodiment, a pair of sensor pieces 68 may be fixed tothe drive wheel 22 and one sensor 70 may be mounted on the bicycle-likeframe 12 at a fixed location such that each of the sensor pieces 68passes the sensor 70 at intervals of 180°. In such an embodiment, thesensor pieces 68 and sensor 70 are again located relative to each othersuch that the sensor 70 detects a respective one of the sensor pieces68, during rotation of the drive wheel 22, at a position in motion ofthe drive wheel 22 corresponding to a load alternation between the footoperable pedals 18.

So as to collate the data collected by means of the measuring unit 58and the measuring device 66, the exercise device 10 includes a commandmodule 72 (FIG. 5).

The command module 72 is preferably a programmable device connected tothe measuring unit 58 and the measuring device 66 so as to receivesignals indicative of the drive force applied during operation of theexercise device to the chain 30, and the rate of rotation of the pedalstogether with the times of load alternation between the two pedals 18.

The command module 72 is configured to use the measurements receivedfrom the measuring unit 58 and the measuring device 66 in order tocalculate one or more performance parameters. Those performanceparameters may include cadence, power, speed of rotation of theflywheel, drive force applied to the pedals and other variablesderivable therefrom.

Those performance parameters may be transmitted from the command module72 to a communications module 74 for onward transmission to a userinterface (not shown) connected to the communications module 74. Thecommand module 72 is also however configured so as to compare at leastone or more of the calculated performance parameters against apredetermined performance profile.

Depending on the results of the comparison, which will be discussed inmore detail below, the command module 74 is connected to the servo motor42 and is configured to control the servo motor 42 so as to move the twosets of permanent magnets 44 a,44 b relative to the magnetic rims 38 ofthe flywheel elements 26. By adjusting the relative positions of the twosets of permanent magnets 44 a,44 b relative to the magnetic rims 38 ofthe flywheel elements 26, the command module 72 adjusts the brakingforce applied by the two sets of permanent magnets 44 a,44 b. This inturn affects the resistance to rotation of the flywheel elements 26 andthus affects measurements obtained via the measuring unit 58 and themeasuring device 66. By appropriate control of the servo motor 42therefore, the command module 72 is operable to tune the measurementsreceived from the measuring unit 58 and the measuring device 66 so as toadjust the or each performance parameter calculated by the commandmodule to conform with the predetermined performance profile.

As outlined above, the command module 72 is connected to acommunications module 74 for the purposes of transmitting signalsrepresentative of the performance parameters calculated by the commandmodule 72 to an external device for display on a user interface.

As well as transmitting signals to an external device in the form offeedback signals reporting user performance, the communications module74 is configured to receive command signals and transmit those signalsto the command module 72.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the communications module 74 includesa radio configured to receive command signals and transmit feedbacksignals via the wireless communications protocol known as BLUETOOTH®.This allows wireless connection of the communications module 74 to anexternal device such as a smart phone, a tablet, a smart watch oranother computing device.

In other embodiments it is envisaged that another wirelesscommunications protocol, such as ANT+® may be used in order to create awireless data connection between the communications module 74 and anexternal device. It is also envisaged that a wired connection may beused to connect the communications module 74 to an external device.

The communications module 74 could for example be connected to anexternal device by means of a data transfer cable such as a USB cable.

The provision of a communications module 74 to facilitate connection toan external device, such as a smart phone, tablet, smart watch or othercomputing device, allows the creation of a user interface. It isenvisaged that the communications module 74 could be connected to asmart phone, tablet, smart watch or other computing device running anapplication configured to communicate with the communications module 74and thereby allow a user to input data for the purposes of creating apredetermined performance profile.

The communications module 74 could also be connected to such a device toallow the creation of a visualisation of the feedback signals on ascreen of the device. The interface could, for example, display thecadence and/or force measurements. It could also or alternativelydisplay one or more performance parameters calculated by the commandmodule from the measurements obtained from the measuring unit 58 and themeasuring device 66.

The interface could also display a POLAR VIEW™ based on the times ofload alternation determined by the measuring device 66 and the forcemeasurements and other variables thereof calculated by the commandmodule 72 in response to measurements received from the measuring unit58. The creation of a POLAR VIEW™, which shows force against time,illustrates the user's pedalling performance and technique with specificreference to the user's right and left limbs. It therefore creates avisual impression of a user's cycling performance and allows a uservisually to determine the areas in which his or her pedallingperformance and/or technique might require improvement.

An example of a POLAR VIEW™ is shown in FIG. 8.

Operation of the exercise device 10 will now be described.

During operation of the exercise device 10, a user drives rotation ofthe flywheel elements 26 through operation of the pedals 18. Theresultant drive force applied to the chain extending around the drivewheel 22 is measured by means of the measuring unit 58 on a continuousbasis, as outlined above, and the resultant measurements are transmittedto the command module 72.

Similarly, the cadence or rate of pedalling is measured by the measuringdevice 66 and the resultant measurements together with signalsindicative of the time of load alternation between the pedals 18 aretransmitted to the command module 72.

The command module 72 uses the measurements and signals received fromthe measuring device 58 and the measuring unit 66 and calculates thepower output of the user.

The command unit 72 preferably calculates the power output of the useronce per revolution of the pedal cranks 20 on the basis thatpower=force×speed, and the speed can be calculated with reference to themeasured cadence and the distance travelled per revolution of the pedalcranks 20. As outlined above, the distance travelled per revolution ofthe pedal cranks 20 may be pre-set within the command module accordingto a series of pre-set gears. The command module 72 may be configured toincrease the braking force applied to the flywheel assembly 24 onselection by a user of a higher gear, and vice versa, in order tosimulate the additional resistance that would be experienced by acyclist on changing gear on a real bicycle. Similarly, the commandmodule 72 may be configured to increase the distance travelled perrevolution of the pedal cranks 20 incrementally with each gear from thelowest gear up to the highest gear, and vice versa.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the distance travelled perrevolution increases incrementally from a minimum of 2.790 m in a bottomgear, gear 1, to a maximum of 10.258 m in a top gear, gear 22, as setout in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Distance travelled per revolution of Gear pedal crank (m) 12.790 2 3.146 3 3.501 4 3.857 5 4.213 6 4.568 7 4.924 8 5.279 9 5.635 105.991 11 6.346 12 6.702 13 7.058 14 7.413 15 7.769 16 8.124 17 8.480 188.836 19 9.191 20 9.547 21 9.903 22 10.258

In such embodiments, it will be appreciated that a user operating theexercise device in gear 1 at a cadence of 60 revolutions per minutewould equate to a speed of 2.790 ms⁻¹.

In order to allow a user to change up and down through gears, buttons(not shown) may be included on handlebars 16 so as to allow the userreadily to move up and down through the gears as if they were riding areal bicycle. Such buttons may be connected directed to the commandmodule 72 in order to provide the required signal and preferably includeone button for changing up through the gears and a second for changingdown through the gears.

In other embodiments, the buttons may be configured to send commandsignals to the communications module 74 for onward transmission to thecommand module 72.

The command unit 72 may also calculate other performance parameters orvariables derivable from the drive force for transmission via thecommunications module 74 to an external device connected to thecommunications module 74 in order to provide a user interface.

In its simplest form, the user may create a predetermined performanceprofile in the command module 72 aimed at ensuring that the userachieves a constant power output during operation of the exercise device10. This is achieved by using the cadence and force measurements tocalculate the actual power output of the user, comparing the calculatedpower against the power output value required by the predeterminedperformance profile and controlling the motor so as to increase ordecrease the braking force so as to require the user to apply a greateror lower force to the pedals in order to achieve the required poweroutput at the same cadence.

The user may also select from a series of predetermined performanceprofiles before commencing a training program. The user could, forexample, select a predetermined performance profile that defines acurvilinear relationship between power and cadence for a particulargear. Thereafter, on operation of the exercise device 10, the commandmodule 72 uses the cadence and force measurements to calculate theactual power output of the user and compares the calculated power valuetogether with the cadence measurement against the curvilinearrelationship between power and cadence defined by the predeterminedperformance profile.

On performing this comparison, the command module 72 is able todetermine whether the actual power output of the user is higher or lowerthan is required by the predetermined performance profile for themeasured cadence and operates the servo motor 42 so as to adjust therelative positions of the sets of permanent magnets 44 a,44 b relativeto the flywheel elements 26 so as to adjust the braking force applied bythe sets of permanent magnets 44 a,44 b on the flywheel elements 26.This in turn increases or decreases the driving force required from theuser to drive the pedals at the same cadence and can be used to tune themeasurements obtained from the measuring unit 58 and the measuringdevice 66 so that the calculated power output of the user conforms withthe power required by the predetermined performance profile for themeasured cadence.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the command module 72 is alsoconfigured to calculate the predetermined performance profile on receiptof performance characteristic data in the form of command signals fromthe communications module 74.

This allows a user to input a series of cycling parameters into anexternal device connected to the communications module 74 that are inturn communicated to the command module 72 via the communications module74, and allow the command module 72 to calculate a tailor-madepredetermined performance profile based on the selected cyclingparameters.

The performance characteristic data may include information concerningone or more static cycling parameters selected from the group consistingof angle of inclination of cycling surface, rolling resistance betweenbicycle tyre and cycling surface, mass of cyclist, mass of bicycle andcyclist power output.

The performance characteristic data may also include informationconcerning one or more dynamic cycling parameters selected from thegroup consisting of air resistance created by changes in wind speed, airresistance created by changes in altitude and air resistance createdthrough the use of a fan.

On receipt of this information from the external device, in the form ofcommand signals received via the communications module 74, the commandmodule 72 is configured to calculate the effects of any selected cyclingparameters on the drag force that a cyclist would experience riding abicycle under those conditions. This in turn allows the command module72 to calculate a predetermined performance profile taking into accountthe additional drag force.

In the particularly preferred embodiment, in which the distancetravelled per revolution of the pedals cranks 20 is pre-set within thecommand module according to the series of pre-set gear set out in Table1 above, the command module calculates the additional power required toovercome a drag force created by a user body mass of 70 kg cycling on aflat road with no slope and zero wind resistance according to thepre-set gear set and exemplary cadence figures as set out below in Table2.

TABLE 2 Distance travelled per revolution of Cadence Power Gear pedalcranks (m) (rpm) (W) 1 2.790 30 7 2 3.146 35 9 3 3.501 40 13 4 3.857 4518 5 4.213 50 25 6 4.568 55 36 7 4.924 60 50 8 5.279 65 69 9 5.635 70 9610 5.991 75 132 11 6.346 80 181 12 6.702 85 245 13 7.058 90 328 14 7.41395 435 15 7.769 100 572 16 8.124 105 745 17 8.480 110 961 18 8.836 1151,229 19 9.191 120 1,557 20 9.547 125 1,958 21 9.903 130 2,442 22 10.258135 3,025

It will be appreciated that the drag force that would be created if theuser was riding a bicycle under such conditions would increase with thecadence of the user in each gear and thus the speed of travel of thebicycle.

Examples of the power required to overcome the increasing drag force ingears 1, 10 and 22 for incremental increases in cadence, as calculatedby the command module, are illustrated in Tables 3, 4 and 5 below.

TABLE 3 Distance travelled per revolution of Cadence Power Gear pedalcranks (m) (rpm) (W) 1 2.790 30 7 1 2.790 35 8 1 2.790 40 10 1 2.790 4511 1 2.790 50 13 1 2.790 55 15 1 2.790 60 17 1 2.790 65 20 1 2.790 70 221 2.790 75 25 1 2.790 80 28 1 2.790 85 32 1 2.790 90 36 1 2.790 95 40 12.790 100 44 1 2.790 105 49 1 2.790 110 54 1 2.790 115 59 1 2.790 120 651 2.790 125 72 1 2.790 130 79 1 2.790 135 86

TABLE 4 Distance travelled per revolution of Cadence Power Gear pedalcranks (m) (rpm) (W) 10 5.991 30 19 10 5.991 35 25 10 5.991 40 32 105.991 45 41 10 5.991 50 51 10 5.991 55 63 10 5.991 60 77 10 5.991 65 9310 5.991 70 111 10 5.991 75 132 10 5.991 80 156 10 5.991 85 182 10 5.99190 211 10 5.991 95 244 10 5.991 100 280 10 5.991 105 319 10 5.991 110363 10 5.991 115 410 10 5.991 120 461 10 5.991 125 516 10 5.991 130 57610 5.991 135 641

TABLE 5 Distance travelled per revolution of Cadence Power Gear pedalcranks (m) (rpm) (W) 22 10.258 30 54 22 10.258 35 77 22 10.258 40 106 2210.258 45 142 22 10.258 50 186 22 10.258 55 238 22 10.258 60 301 2210.258 65 374 22 10.258 70 459 22 10.258 75 557 22 10.258 80 668 2210.258 85 793 22 10.258 90 933 22 10.258 95 1,089 22 10.258 100 1,263 2210.258 105 1,454 22 10.258 110 1,664 22 10.258 115 1,893 22 10.258 1202,143 22 10.258 125 2,414 22 10.258 130 2,708 22 10.258 135 3,025

The command module 72 could, for example, generate a predeterminedperformance profile based on power output versus cadence that iscalculated to take account of the drag force that would be experiencedas a result of the selected cycling parameters. This would allow thecommand module 72 to control the servo motor 42 and thereby controlmovement of the sets of permanent magnets 44 a,44 b relative to themagnetic rims 38 of the flywheel elements 26 so as to create therequired drag force and thereby simulate various cycling conditions.

By appropriate selection of cycling parameters, a user may createcommand signals instructing the command module 72 to simulate aninfinite number of combinations of cycling conditions. For example, thecommand module 72 could simulate a light cyclist riding a light bicycleon a velodrome surface; the same cyclist and bicycle on a dirt track;the same cyclist and bicycle on a 5° inclined surface; the same cyclistand bicycle on a −5° inclined surface with a back wind of 10 miles perhour.

The command module 72 could also, for example, simulate a stationaryergometric exercise device having a fan with vents on an outer housingof the fan that can be adjusted so as to adopt various positions andthereby affect and control the airstream travelling through the fan onoperation of the pedals to drive rotation of the fan.

With reference to the dynamic cycling parameters referred to above, thedrag force experienced by a cyclist under such conditions will varyaccording to speed as a result of fluid dynamics. Accordingly, thecommand module 72 may be configured to use measurements received fromthe measuring device 58 to calculate speed of rotation of the flywheelelements 26 or the equivalent speed of a real bicycle being operated atthe same cadence and at the same driving force.

The speed of a real bicycle could be calculated, as outlined above, withreference to the measured cadence and the distance travelled perrevolution of the pedal cranks 20.

The speed of rotation of the flywheel elements 26 is also indicative ofthe actual speed of a bicycle which may also or alternatively be used bythe command module 72 to adjust the predetermined performance profile soas to reflect the effect of the user's speed on the one or more dynamiccycling parameters employed in the calculation of the predeterminedperformance profile.

In other embodiments, the external device may include data concerning acycling route that could be used to generate command signals to simulatea specific cycling route. The data may, for example, concern aparticular stage of the Tour de France or an Olympic road race route.

In such embodiments, the command module 72 may be configured to generatea predetermined performance profile based on the command signalspertaining to the characteristics of the chosen route. Suchcharacteristics may include angle of inclination, rolling resistancebetween bicycle tyre and cycling surface and altitude. They could alsoinclude wind speed, wind direction and other weather characteristics inthe event the user chooses to simulate the exact conditions of apreviously recorded ride along the chosen route.

During the simulation, the command module 72 calculates the power outputof the user, in accordance with the methods outlined above, and comparesagainst the predetermined performance profile in order to determine thepower output that would be required at the measured cadence of the user.This enables the command module 72 to control the servo motor 42 andthereby control movement of the sets of permanent magnets 44 a,44 brelative to the magnetic rims 38 of the flywheel elements 26 in order totune the measurements received from the measuring unit 58 and themeasuring device 66 so as to achieve the required power output andthereby simulate the resistance to pedalling that would be experiencedby the user at that cadence, in the chosen gear and at the positionalong the route reached by the user.

It will be appreciated that the data concerning the chosen route couldbe provided in the form of a single transmission from the externaldevice via the communications module 74. It will also be appreciatedhowever that the data could be streamed continuously from the externaldevice to the command module 72, via the communications module 74,during the simulation of the chosen route in order to allow theprovision of more data and thus facilitate ongoing adjustment of thepredetermined performance profile in order to provide a more detailedand accurate simulation.

In any event, the command module 72 may transmit feedback signals viathe communications module 74 back to the external device that allows theexternal device to track the user's progress along the chosen route.This could be translated into a signal in the external device thatallows the external device to generate a video image that might allowthe user to visualise their journey along the chosen route.

1. A stationary ergometric exercise device comprising: a foot-operabledrive including alternately operable drive elements in the form offoot-driven pedals mounted via pedal cranks to opposite sides of a drivewheel; a flywheel coupled to the drive wheel via a gear mechanism, theflywheel including a magnetic rim; a brake device in the form of one ormore permanent magnets mounted for movement by means of a motor towardsand away from the magnetic rim of the flywheel so as to selectivelyadjust a braking force applied to the flywheel by means of the or eachpermanent magnet; a measuring unit for measuring, in use, at least oneof the drive force applied via the drive and the torque related to it; ameasuring device for measuring, in use, cadence; a command moduleconnected to the measuring unit, the measuring device and the motor ofthe brake device; and a communications module connected to the commandmodule and configured to receive command signals and transmit thosecommand signals to the command module and configured to transmitfeedback signals received from the command module reporting userperformance, wherein the command module is configured to receivemeasurements from the measuring unit and the measuring device and to usethose measurements to calculate one or more performance parameters andto compare the or each performance parameter against a predeterminedperformance profile and to control the motor so as to move the or eachpermanent magnet relative to the magnetic rim of the flywheel in orderto adjust the braking force applied by the or each permanent magnet andthereby tune the measurements received from the measuring unit and themeasuring device so as to adjust the or each performance parametercalculated by the command module to conform with the predeterminedperformance profile.
 2. A stationary ergometric exercise deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the measuring unit is configured tocontinuously measure, in use, at last one of the drive force applied viathe drive and the torque related to it.
 3. A stationary ergometricexercise device according to claim 2 wherein the measuring unit isconfigured to measure in use at least one of the drive force applied viathe drive and the torque related to it at a rate of at least 100 timesper second.
 4. A stationary ergometric exercise device according toclaim 1 wherein the command module is configured to calculate the outputpower of a user once per revolution of the pedal cranks based on therelationship that power=force×speed and based on speed calculated basedon the cadence measured by the measuring device and a pre-set distancetravelled per revolution of the pedal cranks.
 5. A stationary ergometricexercise device according to claim 1 wherein the command module isconfigured to simulate a series of pre-set gears so as to increase thebraking force applied to the flywheel on selection, in use, of a highergear, and vice versa, and to increase a pre-set distance travelled perrevolution of the pedal cranks incrementally with each gear from thelowest gear up to the highest gear, and vice versa.
 6. A stationaryergometric exercise device according to claim 5 further includingbuttons provided on handlebars and configured to send command signals tothe communications module to move up and down through the gears.
 7. Astationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 1 wherein thecommand module is configured to calculate the predetermined performanceprofile on receipt of performance characteristic data in the form ofcommand signals from the communications module.
 8. A stationaryergometric exercise device according to claim 7 wherein the performancecharacteristic data includes information concerning one or more staticcycling parameters selected from the group consisting of angle ofinclination of cycling surface, rolling resistance between bicycle tyreand cycling surface, mass of cyclist, mass of bicycle, gear selectionand cyclist power output.
 9. A stationary ergometric exercise deviceaccording to claim 7 wherein the performance characteristic dataincludes information concerning one or more dynamic cycling parametersselected from the group consisting of air resistance created by changesin wind speed, air resistance created by changes in altitude, airresistance created by use of a fan.
 10. A stationary ergometric exercisedevice according to claim 9 wherein the command module is configured touse measurements received from the measuring device to calculate speedof rotation of the flywheel and is also configured to adjust thepredetermined performance profile in response to the calculated speed soas to reflect the effect of speed on the one or more dynamic cyclingparameters.
 11. A stationary ergometric exercise device according toclaim 1 wherein the communications module is configured to receivecommand signals and transmit feedback signals via a wired connection.12. A stationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 1 whereinthe communications module includes a radio configured to receive commandsignals and transmit feedback signals via a wireless communicationsprotocol.
 13. A stationary ergometric exercise device according to claim1 wherein the command module is configured to calculate thepredetermined performance profile on receipt of command signalspertaining to the characteristics of a specific cycling route.
 14. Astationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 13 wherein thecommand module calculates, in use, the power output of the user andcompares against the predetermined performance profile in order todetermine the power output that would be required at the measuredcadence of the user, and controlling the motor so as to move the or eachpermanent magnet relative to the magnetic rim of the flywheel in orderto adjust the braking force applied by the or each permanent magnet andthereby tune the measurements received from the measuring unit and themeasuring device so as to achieve the required power output.
 15. Astationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 1 wherein thebrake device includes a yoke element to receive the or each permanentmagnet, the yoke element being connected to the motor to drive movementof the or each permanent magnet relative to the magnetic rim of theflywheel.
 16. A stationary ergometric exercise device according to claim1 wherein the flywheel includes a pair of wheel elements mounted on acommon axle for rotation, each of the wheel elements including amagnetic rim, and the brake device includes two sets of permanentmagnets, each of the sets of permanent magnets being mounted formovement together with the other set of permanent magnets towards andaway from the magnetic rim of a respective one of the wheel elements.17. A stationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 1 whereinthe measuring unit measures, in use, the drive force applied via thedrive and includes an arm applied to a chain of the gear mechanism, thearm pressing slightly on the side of the chain and the measuring unitfurther including a measuring sensor to measure the restoring forceapplied by the traction mechanism to the arm.
 18. A stationaryergometric exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the commandmodule is configured to calculate and continuously output in the form offeedback signals to the communications module the temporal progress ofthe drive force and/or related torque, as well as variables derivablefrom it, on the basis of the measurements received from the measuringunit.
 19. A stationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 1wherein the measuring device for measuring cadence includes a pair ofsensor pieces attached to the drive wheel and at least one sensorpositioned in a stationary location relative to the drive wheel, thesensor pieces being movable with the drive wheel relative to the atleast one sensor on operation of the drive by means of which each of thesensor pieces is detected passing a sensor when the gear wheel islocated at one of two specific angular positions, the positions beinglocated 180° apart and corresponding to positions in motion of loadalternation between the alternately operable drive elements.
 20. Astationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 1 wherein themeasuring device for measuring cadence includes a pair of sensorspositioned in stationary locations relative to the drive wheel and atleast one sensor piece attached to the drive wheel, the at least onesensor piece being movable with the drive wheel relative to the sensorson operation of the drive by means of which each of the sensors detectsa passing sensor piece when the drive wheel is located at one of twospecific angular positions, the positions being 180° apart andcorresponding to positions in motion of load alternation between thealternately operable drive elements.
 21. A stationary ergometricexercise device according to claim 19 wherein the or each sensor pieceis a magnet and the or each sensor is a magnetic field sensor.
 22. Astationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 19 wherein thecommand module is configured to receive signals from the measuringdevice identifying the times of load alternation between the alternatelyoperable drive elements and, using the times of load alternationidentified by the measuring device, to apportion the variablescalculated on the basis of the measurements received from the measuringunit alternately to a right limb or left limb of a user.
 23. A method ofoperating a stationary ergometric exercise device including afoot-operable drive having alternately operable drive elements in theform of foot-driven pedals mounted via cranks to opposite sides of agear wheel; a flywheel coupled to the gear wheel via a gear mechanism,the flywheel including a magnetic rim; a brake device in the form of oneor more permanent magnets mounted for movement by means of a motortowards and away from the magnetic rim of the flywheel so as toselectively adjust a braking force applied to the flywheel by means ofthe or each permanent magnet; a measuring unit for measuring, in use, atleast one of drive force applied via the drive and the torque related toit; and a measuring unit for measuring, in use, cadence, the methodcomprising the steps of: using measurements received from the measuringunit and the measuring device to calculate one or more performanceparameters; comparing the or each performance parameter against apredetermined performance profile; and controlling the motor so as tomove the or each permanent magnet relative to the magnetic rim of theflywheel in order to adjust the braking force applied by the or eachpermanent magnet and thereby tune the measurements received from themeasuring unit and the measuring device so as to adjust the or eachperformance parameter calculated by the command module to conform withthe predetermined performance profile.
 24. A method of operating astationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 23 furtherincluding the step of inputting performance characteristic data andcalculating the predetermined performance profile based on theperformance characteristic data.
 25. A method of operating a stationaryergometric exercise device according to claim 24 wherein the performancecharacteristic data includes information concerning one or more staticcycling parameters selected from the group consisting of angle ofinclination of cycling surface, rolling resistance between bicycle tyreand cycling surface, mass of cyclist, mass of bicycle, gear selectionand cyclist power output.
 26. A method of operating a stationaryergometric exercise device according to claim 24 wherein the performancecharacteristic data includes information concerning one or more dynamiccycling parameters selected from the group consisting of air resistancecreated by changes in wind speed, air resistance created by changes inaltitude, air resistance created by a fan.
 27. A method of operating astationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 21 furtherincluding the step of calculating speed of rotation of the flywheelusing measurements received from the measuring device and the step ofadjusting the predetermined performance profile in response to thecalculated speed so as to reflect the effect of speed on the one or moredynamic cycling parameters.
 28. A method of operating a stationaryergometric exercise device according to claim 24 wherein the performancecharacteristic data includes information pertaining to thecharacteristics of a specific cycling route.
 29. A method of operating astationary ergometric exercise device according to claim 28 furtherincluding the step of calculating the power output of the user andcomparing against the predetermined performance profile in order todetermine the power output that would be required at the measuredcadence of the user, and the step of controlling the motor so as to movethe or each permanent magnet relative to the magnetic rim of theflywheel in order to adjust the braking force applied by the or eachpermanent magnet and thereby tune the measurements received from themeasuring unit and the measuring device so as to achieve the requiredpower output.
 30. A computer program or computer program productcontaining computer program code which, when executed on a computer orprocesser and memory, performs the method of operating a stationaryergometric exercise device according to claim 23.